Argyle and Rhyddings Messenger Newsletter Jan - Mar 2013
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Argyle and Rhyddings Park Messenger As we look to the future and fresh starts, it is important to keep the past in mind. Highlights of 2012 …. We were incredibly thankful that Rev Charles and Mrs Molly Chua were able to extend their stay and work in Swansea, and that we were able to welcome Mike Harris as a new elder. Sunniva Jonsen and Tim Hodgins started internships at Argyle and Tabernacle Gorseinon, mentored by Molly and Charles respectively. Church attendance is increasing with many new faces from all around the world, whilst English Corner continues to go from strength to strength with over 140 people attending the Welcome Party in October 2012. English Corner (EC) resumed in early January after the Christmas break. It was good to have a visit from Lorna Snuggs who used to teach at English Corner and who now teaches at two Beijing universities. Church news Jan - Mar 2013 We were also very pleased to wel- come Rev Sangkhuma from PCOW head office Cardiff. Sadly, we also bid farewell to a number of students leaving Swansea. We hope they will keep in touch with their “family” here in Swansea! In 2013 …. EC (through Molly!) will continue to offer monthly excursions which al- ways prove very popular. We are visiting Cheddar Gorge/ Wells (February), West Midlands Safari Park (March) followed by possible outings to North Wales (Easter), and Blenheim Palace/Oxford (May). English Corner Camp will take place be- tween the 9 th and 11 th of June at St. Madoc Centre. Argyle and Rhyddings Park Presbyterian Church, Rhyddings Terrace, Swansea SA2 0DR Minister : Rev Charles Chua 01792 207274 Editor : Ms Siew OH [email protected]Charity Fund Retiring collections on Communion Sundays Oct 7th - £18.50 Nov 4th - £21 Dec 2nd - £13.55 Donations £30 each to: Royal British Legion, Cartref Bont Newydd, Alzheimer Support Swan- sea,Salvation Army Swansea … PLUS £190 to The Leprosy Mission, and Guatemala £58 We are all excited to look forward to the first wedding of the new millennium to be celebrated at Argyle and Rhyddings. We extend a very warm welcome to Gerrit Niezen (South Africa) and Mar- griet Van De Goor (Netherlands), as they tie the knot in May. We also wait to see how the Lord will lead in church renovations over the next year or two (summary of discussions noted later in the newsletter). Timea Halasz (leader of Youth for Christ) and her church has invited an international group from Swan- sea on a mission trip to Hungary from 19 – 26 March, to encourage local Christians, to reach out to local youths and to gain experi- ence of the Lord’s work in a differ- ent part of the world. We have again been invited for another ICI-E (Chrysalis Institute) conference which organises lead- ership training for young Christians in churches mainly based in east Europe. The conference will be held in Romania later in October. Let us hope that 2013 is as blessed and as exciting for our community as we face new chal- lenges and opportunities in the coming year!
Transcript
Argyle and Rhyddings Park Messenger
As we look to the future and fresh starts, it is important to keep the past in mind. Highlights of 2012 …. We were incredibly thankful that Rev Charles and Mrs Molly Chua were able to extend their stay and work in Swansea, and that we were able to welcome Mike Harris as a new elder. Sunniva Jonsen and Tim Hodgins started internships at Argyle and Tabernacle Gorseinon, mentored by Molly and Charles respectively. Church attendance is increasing with many new faces from all around the world, whilst English Corner continues to go from strength to strength with over 140 people attending the Welcome Party in October 2012. English Corner (EC) resumed in early January after the Christmas break. It was good to have a visit from Lorna Snuggs who used to teach at English Corner and who now teaches at two Beijing universities.
Church news
Jan - Mar 2013
We were also very pleased to wel-come Rev Sangkhuma from PCOW head office Cardiff. Sadly, we also bid farewell to a number of students leaving Swansea. We hope they will keep in touch with their “family” here in Swansea!
In 2013 …. EC (through Molly!) will continue to offer monthly excursions which al-ways prove very popular. We are visiting Cheddar Gorge/ Wells (February), West Midlands Safari Park (March) followed by possible
outings to North Wales (Easter), and Blenheim Palace/Oxford (May). English Corner Camp will take place be- tween the 9th and 11th of June at St. Madoc Centre.
Argyle and Rhyddings Park Presbyterian Church, Rhyddings Terrace, Swansea SA2 0DR Minister : Rev Charles Chua 01792 207274 Editor : Ms Siew OH [email protected]
Retiring collections on Communion Sundays 8 April …….. £31.10 6 May ……… £15.64 3 June ……… £20.70
Charity Fund Retiring collections on Communion Sundays Oct 7th - £18.50 Nov 4th - £21 Dec 2nd - £13.55
Donations £30 each to: Royal British Legion, Cartref Bont Newydd, Alzheimer Support Swan-sea,Salvation Army Swansea … PLUS £190 to The Leprosy Mission, and Guatemala £58
We are all excited to look forward to the first wedding of the new millennium to be celebrated at Argyle and Rhyddings. We extend a very warm welcome to Gerrit Niezen (South Africa) and Mar-griet Van De Goor (Netherlands), as they tie the knot in May.
We also wait to see how the Lord will lead in church renovations over the next year or two (summary of discussions noted later in the newsletter).
Timea Halasz (leader of Youth for Christ) and her church has invited an international group from Swan-sea on a mission trip to Hungary from 19 – 26 March, to encourage local Christians, to reach out to local youths and to gain experi-ence of the Lord’s work in a differ-ent part of the world. We have again been invited for another ICI-E (Chrysalis Institute) conference which organises lead-ership training for young Christians in churches mainly based in east Europe. The conference will be held in Romania later in October. Let us hope that 2013 is as blessed and as exciting for our community as we face new chal-lenges and opportunities in the coming year!
The story so far... It began when Rev Meirion Morris as director of the Life and Wit-ness Board, impressed by the work being carried on by Rev Charles and Molly, invited discus-sion on the possibility of investing capital in the Argyle & Rhyddings Park building to make it more efficient and more effective. He was struck when he visited one afternoon by the difficulty in parking anywhere near. Hence his recommendation of providing a second floor in the chapel and removing most of the hall build-ing to make room for some car parking. One of the special at-tractions of the scheme was that the chapel would not be re-quired to contribute towards the cost. Discussions and meetings were held ; many alternative sugges-tions were made, such as keep-ing the school-room (or hall) building as it is except internally removing the platform and re-moving the wall between the kitchen and the vestry in order to accommodate a second toilet and a bigger kitchen; (a plea was made for a larger cooker). Some people were positively against a car-park!
Church and Schoolroom renovations
Finally there was a full church meeting when the latest proposal was debated and was success-fully put to the vote. It was agreed that the current hall be demolished and replaced by a rebuilt hall according to a plan prepared by the PCOW Estates Manager and that a partial sec-ond floor be provided above the sanctuary. This proposal to be put to Rev Meirion Morris at the earliest opportunity. There seem to be some untidy corners. We would welcome any questions, comments or suggestions. Please do not hesitate to speak to one of the church elders : • Mr Jim Lightbody • Mr Bill James • Mr Mike Harris • Mrs Haulwen John • Ms Beryl Clothier • Mr Brian Bevan • Mr Hywel Davies
The church, a living body, containing all the parts—
It lives, it moves, it functions, and touches many hearts;
When each part is committed to do the Saviour’s will,
His members are united, His purpose they fulfil. —Fitzhugh
Draft proposal of renovations for the upstairs of the chapel • pews taken
away • Space con-
verted to meeting area
• Area accessi-ble by stairs only (no lift)
Revised layout of the schoolroom. Minister’s room to be relocated to first floor of the chapel.
Dear English Corner In these special dates, now back home, I am writing to thank you for the great time that I spent every Friday evening. I remember how poor my English was and how it improved surrounded by wonderful friends, talking on food, singing and with brilliant lessons. I was really touched by your generosity and warm wel-come in a foreign place. I wish you have a blessed Christmas time and that you continue to be important for so many people from all over the world.
Every time you feel sad, you can think about the
beautiful memo-ries at English Corner. We all
love you!!!
English Corner Welcome Party Oct 2012— feeding 140 people!
The edition features comments from students who attended EC in 2012
Dear English Corner Thank you for filling my year abroad with cheer and joy. Thank you Swansea for bringing me a peaceful heart and soul. Thank you English Corner, I feel very lucky that I can meet many nice friends here. First thank you to Jesus, we got together in his name. Second thanks to English Corner. I’ve met so many kind and nice people especially Molly xxx Third thanks to my parents and friends. Thanks to God, found English Corner for us and let us know each other. Thanks everyone in English Corner.
Dear English Corner — Your warm, kindly and friendly environment is the pillar of Swansea, providing an opportunity for comrades and come from all over the world.
Hello EC my 2nd home. Is so nice to
laugh here, chat here and make friends
I really enjoyed the time spent here, every Friday night. I met many friends from all over over the world. People are all so generous and so friendly. So moving to see all people with so different cultures singing the same song, in the same room , in the same atmosphere. We all took part of the same story of each other. Now a small poem – because French people are very romantic! Dear English Corner Thank you for existing You will be in my heart forever Of Swansea you are the King!
Events to look forward to in 2013 ...
English Corner Camp
9 - 11 June 2013 Following the success of the EC camp in July 2012, EC is holding the camp again at St Madoc Centre. Activities include strawberry picking, BBQ, out-door sports as well as extended EC activities, games and lessons indoors. Enjoy the company of good friends and nature in the beautiful setting of the centre/Gower.
